Mayes County | |
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![]() Pensacola Dam on the Neosho River in-between Disney and Langley on Oklahoma State Highway 28, creating Grand Lake o' the Cherokees. | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma | |
![]() Oklahoma's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 36°18′N95°14′W / 36.3°N 95.24°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | November 16, 1907 |
Named for | Samuel Houston Mayes |
Seat | Pryor Creek |
Largest city | Pryor Creek |
Area | |
• Total | 684 sq mi (1,770 km2) |
• Land | 655 sq mi (1,700 km2) |
• Water | 28 sq mi (70 km2) 4.1% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 39,046 |
• Density | 57/sq mi (22/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 2nd |
Website | mayes |
Mayes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,046. [1] Its county seat is Pryor Creek. [2] Named for Samuel Houston Mayes, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1895 to 1899, it was originally created at the Sequoyah Convention in August 1905. [3]
According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, the area covered by what is now Mayes County has many prehistoric sites. There is evidence of human habitation dated before 6,000 BC, plus 35 Archaic sites (6,000 BC to 1 AD), 25 Woodland sites (1 AD to 1,000 AD) and 31 Plains Village sites (1000 AD to 1500 AD). [3]
French voyageurs roamed the area in the early 18th Century, giving French names to many of the waterways and other local sites. Jean Pierre Chouteau established a trading post at the location of the present town of Salina, where he chiefly traded with the Osage tribe that had settled in the vicinity. Union Mission, near the present day town of Chouteau, Oklahoma was established in 1820. Rev. Samuel Worcestor set up the first printing press in this part of the United States at Union Mission in 1835. [3]
In 1828, members of the Western Cherokee Nation began arriving in the area from their former lands in Arkansas. The Eastern Cherokee, who were forced from their homes in Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina, followed during the 1830s. In 1841, the present Mayes County area became part of the Saline District of the Cherokee Nation. [3]
This area of Oklahoma experienced some military activity during the Civil War. A 300-man Union Army force surprised an equally large Confederate unit near the present site of Locust Grove, Oklahoma in July 1862. The Union force prevailed and captured about one third of the Confederates, while the remainder escaped. In July 1863, Confederate General Stand Watie tried to capture a Union supply train headed to Fort Gibson. Federal forces under Colonel James Williams successfully defended the train and drove off Watie's men. This action was thereafter known as the First Battle of Cabin Creek. In September 1864, General Watie and General Richard Gano did capture a Union supply train in the same location. This was named the Second Battle of Cabin Creek. Colonel James Williams led a detachment that recovered the wagon train in a skirmish near Pryor Creek. The Confederate force escaped. [3]
After the Civil War, transportation improvements opened up the area's economy. The East Shawnee Trail, and early cattle trail followed the route of the Grand River. The Texas Road came through later. In 1871 to 1872, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad built its track through the present county. The Missouri, Oklahoma and Gulf Railway (later, the Kansas, Oklahoma and Gulf Railway) built a line in 1913 that joined the Katy system at Strang, Oklahoma. [3]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 684 square miles (1,770 km2), of which 655 square miles (1,700 km2) is land and 28 square miles (73 km2) (4.1%) is water. [4]
The county is bisected by the Grand River. The eastern half of the county is on the Ozark Plateau, with flat areas divided by deep stream valleys. The western half is in the Prairie Plains. [3]
The county contains several man-made major reservoirs, including:
Lake Spavinaw is owned by the city of Tulsa and is the principal source of water for the city. The other three reservoirs were built by the Federal Government primarily for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. They are managed by the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA). GRDA also manages the GRDA Coal-fired power generation station. [3]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1910 | 13,596 | — | |
1920 | 16,829 | 23.8% | |
1930 | 17,883 | 6.3% | |
1940 | 21,668 | 21.2% | |
1950 | 19,743 | −8.9% | |
1960 | 20,073 | 1.7% | |
1970 | 23,302 | 16.1% | |
1980 | 32,261 | 38.4% | |
1990 | 33,366 | 3.4% | |
2000 | 38,369 | 15.0% | |
2010 | 41,259 | 7.5% | |
2020 | 39,046 | −5.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [5] 1790-1960 [6] 1900-1990 [7] 1990-2000 [8] 2010 [9] |
As of 2010, its population was 39,046. [1]
As of 2010 Mayes County had a population of 41,259. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 68.0% white, 0.4% black, 21.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.8% reporting some other race and 9.0% of the population reporting two or more races; 2.7% of the population reported being Hispanic or Latino of any race. [10]
As of the census [11] of 2000, there were 38,369 people, 14,823 households, and 10,820 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 17,423 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 72.14% White, 0.30% Black or African American, 19.10% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 7.55% from two or more races. 1.87% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 94.8% spoke English, 2.1% Cherokee, 1.4% Spanish and 1.2% German as their first language.
There were 14,823 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,125, and the median income for a family was $37,542. Males had a median income of $31,668 versus $20,573 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,350. About 11.20% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023 [12] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Number of Voters | Percentage | |||
Democratic | 6,234 | 26.28% | |||
Republican | 13,791 | 58.15% | |||
Others | 3,698 | 15.59% | |||
Total | 23,723 | 100% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 12,749 | 76.68% | 3,581 | 21.54% | 296 | 1.78% |
2016 | 11,555 | 73.52% | 3,423 | 21.78% | 739 | 4.70% |
2012 | 9,637 | 66.65% | 4,823 | 33.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
2008 | 10,234 | 64.03% | 5,749 | 35.97% | 0 | 0.00% |
2004 | 9,946 | 58.93% | 6,933 | 41.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
2000 | 7,132 | 50.94% | 6,618 | 47.27% | 251 | 1.79% |
1996 | 5,268 | 39.59% | 6,377 | 47.92% | 1,663 | 12.50% |
1992 | 5,445 | 35.89% | 6,432 | 42.40% | 3,294 | 21.71% |
1988 | 6,115 | 47.40% | 6,691 | 51.86% | 95 | 0.74% |
1984 | 8,585 | 62.04% | 5,154 | 37.25% | 99 | 0.72% |
1980 | 6,633 | 53.67% | 5,344 | 43.24% | 381 | 3.08% |
1976 | 5,040 | 44.14% | 6,298 | 55.15% | 81 | 0.71% |
1972 | 7,535 | 72.08% | 2,656 | 25.41% | 263 | 2.52% |
1968 | 4,260 | 44.63% | 2,855 | 29.91% | 2,431 | 25.47% |
1964 | 4,157 | 43.40% | 5,421 | 56.60% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 5,194 | 58.26% | 3,721 | 41.74% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 4,677 | 55.43% | 3,760 | 44.57% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 4,704 | 55.08% | 3,837 | 44.92% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 2,854 | 40.45% | 4,201 | 59.55% | 0 | 0.00% |
1944 | 3,822 | 49.82% | 3,830 | 49.93% | 19 | 0.25% |
1940 | 3,631 | 47.10% | 4,057 | 52.63% | 21 | 0.27% |
1936 | 2,690 | 40.62% | 3,920 | 59.19% | 13 | 0.20% |
1932 | 1,596 | 26.42% | 4,444 | 73.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
1928 | 3,004 | 57.61% | 2,161 | 41.45% | 49 | 0.94% |
1924 | 2,317 | 47.40% | 2,246 | 45.95% | 325 | 6.65% |
1920 | 2,447 | 53.23% | 1,987 | 43.22% | 163 | 3.55% |
1916 | 1,229 | 40.55% | 1,574 | 51.93% | 228 | 7.52% |
1912 | 1,077 | 40.16% | 1,391 | 51.86% | 214 | 7.98% |
Agriculture has long been the primary economic activity in the county. Important crops include: corn, soybeans, sorghum and hay. Cattle raising and dairy farming occur in the more rugged parts of the Ozark Plateau. [3]
Heavy industry came to the county in 1941 with the creation of the government-owned Oklahoma Ordnance Works, a munitions manufacturing plant near Pryor. The plant, which had been operated by duPont, closed after the end of World War II, and remained vacant for many years. In 1960, the former munitions plant was converted into the MidAmerica Industrial Park, which included plants manufacturing paper, cement and fertilizer. [3]
The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) is a major employer. It operates several hydroelectric plants and two coal-fired electric power generators in the county. [3]
The following sites in Mayes County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
Wagoner County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 80,981. Its county seat is Wagoner.
Sequoyah County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,281. The county seat is Sallisaw. Sequoyah County was created in 1907 when Oklahoma became a state. It was named after Sequoyah, who created the Cherokee syllabary and its written language.
Rogers County is located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 95,240, making it the sixth-most populous county in Oklahoma. The county seat is Claremore. Rogers County is included in the Tulsa, OK metropolitan statistical area.
Muskogee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 66,339. The county seat is Muskogee. The county and city were named for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The official spelling of the name was changed to Muskogee by the post office in 1900.
McIntosh County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,941. Its county seat is Eufaula. The county is named for an influential Muscogee Creek family, whose members led the migration of the Lower Towns to Indian Territory and served as leaders for generations.
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,397. Its county seat is Jay. The county was named for the Delaware Indians, who had established a village in the area prior to the Cherokees being assigned to relocate to Indian Territory in the 1830s. Delaware County was created in 1907. Prior to becoming Delaware County, a large portion of the area was known as the Delaware District of the Cherokee Nation. Today, Delaware County continues to be recognized by the Cherokee Nation as the Delaware District.
Hulbert is a town in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States, named after Ben H. Hulbert, a prominent Cherokee man. The population was 483 at the 2020 census, previously it was 590 in 2010. Our Lady of the Annunciation of Clear Creek Monastery is a Benedictine monastery located in Hulbert. The Clear Creek Monastery, recently elevated to the status of an abbey, is a foundation abbey of France's Notre Dame de Fontgombault, which is itself a foundation abbey of Saint Pierre de Solesmes, also in France.
Ketchum is a town in Craig and Mayes counties, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 442 at the 2010 census, a 27 percent gain from 286 at the 2000 census.
Chouteau is the second-largest town in Mayes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,097 at the 2010 census, an increase of 8.6 percent over the figure of 1,931 recorded in 2000.
Locust Grove is a town in Mayes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,423 at the 2010 census, a 4.2 percent increase over the figure of 1,366 recorded in 2000.
Pensacola is a town in Mayes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 125 at the 2010 census, which represented a 76 percent increase from the figure of 71 recorded in 2000.
Pryor Creek or Pryor is a city in and county seat of Mayes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 8,659 at the 2000 census and 9,539 in the 2010 census.
Salina is a town in Mayes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,396 at the 2010 census, a slight decline from the figure of 1,422 recorded in 2000.
Spavinaw is a town in Mayes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 437 at the 2010 census, a decline of 22.4 percent from the figure of 563 recorded in 2000. The town is best known as the birthplace of baseball player Mickey Mantle. It is also notable for the nearby Lake Spavinaw, the principal source of water for Tulsa.
Webbers Falls is a town in southeastern Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 616 at the 2010 census, a decline of 14.9 percent from the figure of 724 recorded in 2000.
Skiatook is a city in Osage and Tulsa counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma located in the northeastern part of the state, approximately 20 miles north and west of Tulsa. Due to its location on the border between Osage County and Tulsa County, Skiatook has been referred to as "the Gateway to the Osage." The town includes the state highway junction of Oklahoma State Highway 11 and Oklahoma State Highway 20. The population was 8,450 at the 2020 census, an increase of 14.24 percent over the figure of 7,397 recorded in 2010.
Grand Lake o' the Cherokees is situated in Northeast Oklahoma in the foothills of the Ozark Mountain Range. It is often simply called Grand Lake. It is administered by the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA).
The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) is an agency of the state of Oklahoma created to control, develop, and maintain the Grand River waterway. It was created by the Oklahoma state legislature in 1935, and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. GRDA was designed to be self-funding from the sales of electricity and water. The state of Oklahoma was to provide no funding from taxes. The Authority was authorized to issue revenue bonds to fund large-scale capital investments.
Lake Hudson, also known as Markham Ferry Reservoir, is a man-made reservoir in Mayes County, Oklahoma, United States, about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Locust Grove, Oklahoma and 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Pryor, Oklahoma. It was created by the completion of the Robert S. Kerr Dam on the Grand River in 1964. It is managed by the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA).
Lake W. R. Holway, or Chimney Rock Lake is a reservoir in Mayes County, Oklahoma on the Saline Creek arm of Lake Hudson (Oklahoma). It was created in 1968 by the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) as an integral part of the Salina Pumped Storage Project. It is northeast of Locust Grove and southeast of Salina, Oklahoma. Originally named Chimney Rock Lake, it was renamed in 1981 to honor W. R. Holway, the consulting engineer who was responsible for constructing the Spavinaw Water Project, Pensacola Dam, and other important projects. Its primary purpose is peak power generation.